Tissue box with sanitary compartment for used tissues

ABSTRACT

A tissue box, including an enclosure defining a first pair and a second pair of generally rectangular parallel side members and a pair of generally rectangular end members, a partition disposed in the enclosure to define a top volume sized to receive a tissue box and a bottom volume, a first opening positioned in the top volume for the passage of fresh tissues from within the top volume therethrough, and a second opening formed in the bottom volume for the passage of soiled tissues from thereinto. A motion sensor operationally positioned adjacent the bottom opening and a sound chip operationally connected to the motion sensor for playing at least one prerecorded message when a soiled tissue is passed through the bottom opening.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This patent application claims priority to co-pending U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/149,520, filed Feb. 3, 2009.

BACKGROUND

Most facial tissues are packaged in boxes and arranged for individual sheets to be dispensed one at a time for single uses. Further, most single uses of tissues result in a soiled tissue permeated with fluids that are typically rife with germs, such as in the example of a sick child home from school and laying in bed or on a couch. In these situations, the tissue user is often unable or unwilling to get up and properly dispose of the tissue. Thus, there is a need for a designated antiseptic tissue receptacle convenient for the incapacitated user. The present invention addresses this need.

SUMMARY

The present novel technology relates to facial tissue dispenser devices. One object of the present novel technology is to provide an improved facial tissue dispenser device. Remaining objects and advantages of the novel technology will become apparent from the following descriptions.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a better understanding of the nature and objects of the present novel technology, reference should be made to the following drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a first perspective view of a first embodiment tissue box according to the present novel technology.

FIG. 2 is a second perspective view of a first embodiment tissue box according to the present novel technology.

FIG. 3 is a third perspective view of a first embodiment tissue box according to the present novel technology.

FIG. 4A is a first perspective view of a second embodiment tissue box according to the present novel technology.

FIG. 4B is a first perspective view of a second embodiment tissue box according to the present novel technology.

FIG. 4C is a first perspective view of a second embodiment tissue box according to the present novel technology.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of the novel technology, reference will now be made to the preferred embodiments thereof, and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the novel technology is thereby intended, such alterations, modifications, and further applications of the principles of the novel technology being contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the novel technology relates.

The present novel technology, as illustrated herein, relates to a tissue container/dispenser having a first compartment or cavity for storing and dispensing tissues, such as through a slot or opening formed therein, and a second compartment or cavity noncontiguous with the first compartment for storing soiled or waste tissues. Typically, the second cavity defines an antiseptic environment. More typically, the second cavity includes an opening with a spring-mounted covering positioned to be readily pushed open to receive a soiled tissue, wherein the spring urges the cavity shut to prevent further spread of germs. Still more typically, the second cavity includes a sanitary liner that may be removed when full of soiled tissues and readily replaced with a fresh liner.

In some embodiments, the tissue box is configured to come preloaded with new tissues in the first compartment. In other embodiments, the tissue box is configured to accept a standard size box of tissues into the first compartment.

Typically, the tissue box is decorated to incent the user, such as a sick child, to dispose of soiled tissues therein (see FIGS. 1-4C). Such incentives may include decorating the box to resemble a clown with the opening defining the clown's mouth, decorating the box to resemble a castle with the opening defining a drawbridge with the covering defining a drawbridge, or the like. Further, the opening may include a sound playback device, such as a digital sound chip, adapted to play a humorous, musical, or otherwise appropriate sound bite when a soiled tissue is deposited in the second compartment. The playback device may include a motion sensor or other actuation mechanism to queue playback. In some embodiments, the sound playback device may be interactive, such that recordings may be made therewith in addition to queued playback. In other embodiments, prerecorded messages, such as by celebrities or sports figures may be played back in either random or sequential order.

While the novel technology has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description, the same is to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive in character. It is understood that the embodiments have been shown and described in the foregoing specification in satisfaction of the best mode and enablement requirements. It is understood that one of ordinary skill in the art could readily make a nigh-infinite number of insubstantial changes and modifications to the above-described embodiments and that it would be impractical to attempt to describe all such embodiment variations in the present specification. Accordingly, it is understood that all changes and modifications that come within the spirit of the novel technology are desired to be protected. 

1. A tissue box, comprising: an enclosure defining a first pair and a second pair of generally rectangular parallel side members and a pair of generally rectangular end members; a partition disposed in the enclosure to define a top volume sized to receive a tissue box and a bottom volume; a first opening positioned in the top volume for the passage of fresh tissues from within the top volume therethrough; a second opening formed in the bottom volume for the passage of soiled tissues from thereinto; a motion sensor operationally positioned adjacent the bottom opening; and a sound chip operationally connected to the motion sensor for playing at least one prerecorded message when a soiled tissue is passed through the bottom opening. 